Hi everyone. I have been trying to "get back on the wagon" for months now and just can't seem to hang on! I am hoping that getting involved with this site and forums -- and making some new friends that are fighting the same battles that I am fighting might help me meet my goals.

I had lost about 60 pounds and kept it off for 3 years. Because of some major life stress over the course of a year I have gained all of it back except for 12 pounds. I DO NOT want to gain regain those last few!

I am 39 years old, married with 2 children, and working on my masters. I will be doing low carb (Atkins) and getting back into exercise. In addition to becoming as active as I can on these forums I am, also, looking for a buddy (or buddies) to share this journey with. Just leave me a PM or note here and maybe we can help each other out.

Looking forward to getting to know each of you.

Vee

Hey Vee -

Welcome! We have a thriving Atkins/low-carb section here, as well as lots of success stories. Go look around and keep posting - look forward to hearing more from you!

Helloooo fellow Louisiana lady. I have had a weight struggle all my life..I lost my baby pudge going into highschool @ about 125 lbs, but my weight slowly crept up and by the time I got to college I weighed about 170. I would always say to myself "Gosh I am getting fat..I will start dieting tomorrow.." Well tomorrow never came, and now I am almost done with college and tipping the scales at my highest weight EVER. I knew I had to do something. I just didn't feel good about myself anymore. This place has really heped me obtain a positive attitude, and seeing all the success stories made me realize I CAN DO THAT TOO. The people here don't try to pretend it was easy. There is no magic pill. It takes a fairly strict diet and some excercise. My favorite moto I find on this site is "You didn't gain all that weight in a day, so don't expect to lose it all in a day either"..or something to that effect LOL.

I would love to be your buddy and help you in anyway I can. You can do this!! WE ALL can do this.

Thanks, Mandalinn and Mary for the welcome!

Mary, my story goes a lot like yours -- fought this battle all my life. You are right, we can do this!

It is nice to see someone else from LA here! It is difficult sometimes to make the best food choices around here with all of it being SO GOOD! LOL Before LIFE got in the way I was exercising 5 days/week -- weights, walking, stepping, etc. I had even gotten into good enough shape that I could keep up with Billy on my Taebo videos without it killing me. I really want to be in that place again -- I felt so much better.

Anyway, I am looking forward to shrinking with you and getting to know you!

I will tell you a secret..I used to be a cheerleader LOL (and contrary to popular belief we worked our butts off..running, strength training..everyday). The weight just crept on so slowly...Sigggh.

YES IT IS SO HARD to lose weight down here..Fried Shrimp, Fried Crawfish, Fried Catfish, Fried Oysters, Fried Mushrooms, Fried Pickles, Homemade dumplins, homemade biscuits, homemade cornbread (which you can't eat without butter or syrup) and the list could go on forever..and all so so so so good. Why does Louisiana home cooking have to be so good yet soo unhealthy. Food is our entire culture down here.

Buutttttt we have to make a few sacrifices if we want to get these booties in shape LOL so it's more fruits and veggies for me.

I think there a few of us from Louisiana on here (and I know why).

Let's shrink!!